Also called: Maxillofacial Prosthetist, Facial Prosthetist
Creates lifelike artificial ears, noses, eyes, and fingers for people who lost them to cancer, trauma, or birth defects.
Sculpts a silicone ear for a child born without one, then hand-paints freckles and veins so it perfectly matches the other ear. Equal parts artist and clinician.
Estimate; a very small profession.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 5 years after high school. Background in art, dental technology, or biomedical science, plus specialized training and optional certification (CCA).
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Studio Art, Biomedical Science, Dental Technology.
Growing about average. Tiny field; few positions.
Low risk for 10 years. 3D scanning and printing make molds faster; sculpting and hand-painting lifelike silicone stays artistic work.
Classes: Art or sculpture, Biology, Anatomy & physiology, 3D printing or CAD.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9082.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.